Luis Enrique ‘will only take Chelsea job at end of season’ as Antonio Conte refuses to quit with 18-months left on deal

LUIS ENRIQUE will reportedly only join a new club at the end of the season amid claims he is being lined up by Chelsea.

Blues chief Antonio Conte is on the brink after a poor run left his side’s Champions League qualification hopes under threat.

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Former Barcelona chief Enrique has been touted as a potential replacement but Goal.com claims he will not join mid-season.

Conte has 18 months to run on his Stamford Bridge deal and has shown no inclination to quit the reigning Premier League champions.

The Chelsea board appear happy to stand behind the Italian for now.

But if they are booted out of Europe by Barcelona and their top-four hopes take another hit they could be forced to act.

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Should he replace Conte, Enrique has been linked with a sensational move to nab Luis Suarez from Barca.

Juventus’ Massimiliano Allegri and Napoli boss Maurizio Sarri are also believed to be on the Blues’ radar.

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Leonardo Jardim is another option after seeing his title-winning Monaco squad sold to the highest bidders.

Conte is unlikely to struggle to find work after successful spells with Juve, Italy and Chelsea.

Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid are potential destinations.